Safe Driving in Amish Country

Driving through rural Pennsylvania will provide views of cornfields, cows, barns and horse-drawn buggies moving at speeds of around ten miles per hour or less.

To ensure everyone is safe on our roadways:

Slow down when approaching and passing horse-drawn buggies. Leave plenty of room to pass where it is safe and allow at least 20 feet in front of the horse before returning to the travel lane.

Do not follow too closely, as drivers of horse-drawn buggies may not be able to see you behind them.

Leave plenty of space between you and the horse-drawn buggy. This space gives you time to react.

When stopped at a stop sign or stoplight, stay back! Buggies often roll back a few feet after coming to a complete stop.

Do not blow your horn! Horses can be unpredictable and are easily spooked.

Horse-drawn buggies will drive as close to the right hand side of the road as possible.

Buggies will merge towards the center when making a left-hand turn. Driver will often use turn signals or hand gestures to alert motorists.

Remember, at night, the buggy is illuminated but the horse may be dark without reflective harnessing and can be difficult to see.

For more information, see the full article click here or visit https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/horse-and-buggy-crashes-how-many-lancaster-county-has-and/article_81b22af4-95be-11e8-b372-3b50908c6ff7.html.